LGBTQ+ ENGAGEMENT GUIDE OPEN4ALL GROW YOUR CLUB

Tennis is committed to embracing diversity by making our sport and events welcoming, safe and inclusive for everyone. Everyone should have the opportunity to be included and engaged through tennis in a way that is positive and meaningful for them, regardless of their sex, sexuality, gender identity or any other defining characteristics. Inclusion is about providing choice for people to participate in sport in a way that they feel comfortable. As well as mainstream tennis opportunities, there are a variety of LGBTQ+ specific initiatives that people can choose to participate in.

According to “Game On” research by Dr Ryan Storr, 2020, “For those LGBTQ+ people outside of major cities and metropolitan areas, being socially and physically isolated was a key barrier. For many LGBTQ+ people, if they cannot access a LGBTQ+ specific club, or inclusive and LGBTQ+ friendly tennis club, then they are unlikely to play.”

The purpose of this guide is to equip you with the foundational knowledge and confidence to help your club and coaches connect with a key segment of the community – those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and APPROXIMATELY 15% OF AUSTRALIANS intersex (LGBTQ+). In this guide you will find: IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ+ Information on the leading research around LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport The LGBTQ+ community reflects a range of races, ethnicities and ages, and why it is important proving that Australia is truly a diverse country. By being inclusive of all Tips on how you can be more inclusive people particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+ we invite a large section of Case studies from LGBTQ+ champions our community to participate in our sport. Contact information for organisations who can provide support to Role models who have participated in tennis at elite levels such as Billie Jean your club King, Casey Dellacqua and Renee Richards have inspired many people with A few small changes at your club can make huge differences that will ensure local their stories of courage, bravery and pride to be themselves through tennis. community members feel it is a place they feel welcome, safe and included. Local tennis clubs, such as Loton Park Tennis Club in Perth, Western Australia, are examples of how to open doors to be inclusive of people who identify as LGBTQ+. You can read about their story in this guide and share “TENNIS AUSTRALIA PROUDLY LIVE THE VALUES the benefits of their approach. OF EQUALITY, INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY” Clubs can create their own inclusive story through opening their doors to all – Craig Tiley, CEO Tennis Australia participants including the LGBTQ+ community. GAME ON: TAKE A STAND! LGBTQ+ inclusion in Australian Tennis

BACKGROUND Some people who identify as LGBTQ+ do not feel safe participating in sport due to the fear of discrimination and exclusion. This is where clubs can be Tennis Australia together with Western Sydney University researchers part of the solution, so that people who identify as LGBTQ+ can participate in explored the positive benefits of playing tennis for LGBTQ+ communities, tennis without discrimination. and explore how to ensure LGBTQ+ people feel welcome, safe and included in tennis environments across Australia. The research methodology included: It is important to offer choices for participants as well as create welcoming, safe and inclusive sporting opportunities in tennis clubs across Australia. Focus in-depth hours observation 3 Groups 44 interviews 50+ at tennis events Tennis Australia is a proud partner of the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance and across Australia VicTennis, supporting the annual Glam Slam event during the Australian Open. Over 175 participants who identify as LGBTQ+ from 30 countries participate in WHAT WE FOUND this tournament. The Glam Slam finals were first held in Melbourne Park on the last day of Australian Open 2019. Overall, LGBTQ+ people had positive experiences of playing tennis in Australia, in both mainstream and LGBTQ+ specific clubs and Tennis is one of the most popular sports at the Gay Games, a global sporting tournaments. event held every four years and attended by 10,000 participants from around the world. LGBTQ+ people have a strong desire to be included in Tennis clubs, to feel a sense of belonging and be socially connected to other people within their communities. “My Club opened my eyes to the fact that you don’t WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROMOTE LGBTQ+ have to fit a certain box, INCLUSION IN TENNIS? you can be whoever you want to be, and you’re Create and promote welcoming, inclusive and supportive still in the club, and you’re Tennis environments (safe spaces), which celebrate and still loved and accepted. encourage LGBTQ+ people to be their authentic selves. And tennis to me was Zero tolerance approach to homophobia/ biphobia, and the area where I got that transphobia, where LGBTQ+ people can play tennis free awareness that I didn’t from discrimination. have to change, I could

Increase visibility of LGBTQ+ inclusion, tennis pathways, just be me.” symbols and events e.g. rainbow flags, celebrating Wear it – RESEARCH PARTICIPANT Purple day. HOW WILL MY CLUB BENEFIT?

Help improve attitudes of community members towards your club, as well as set a positive example to your sporting peers.

Enhance your understanding and experience of diversity by being open and inclusive. This will also help boost your club membership.

Grow you club’s programs by engaging with the LGBTQ+ community which makes up approximately 15% OF THE population. The more people you have, the better range of volunteers and skills to call on.

Strengthen your relationship with local councils, businesses and potential sponsors.

Increase your Club’s popularity in your community. TOP 10 TIPS ON HOW LGBTQ+ CHAMPIONS TO BE INCLUSIVE

Add a welcoming, safe and inclusive club statement to your website 1 and promotional materials.

Welcome new members with a smile. It is important to provide a 2 friendly first experience for new participants. _ Find out about the participant’s needs and what they are hoping to PRIDE IN TENNIS 3 get out of tennis. TRARALGON TENNIS CLUB

Reach out to communities that assist LGBTQ+ groups to increase While Pride Cup has grown in popularity with AFL and netball across the 4 networks that can support your club. country, Traralgon Tennis Club was the first to stage this event for tennis in 2018. The event included guest speaker Jelena Dokic and local LGBTQ+ Educate your club members about being inclusive of all participants, ambassadors providing support to the cause. 5 including appropriate and non-discriminating language. This event was also an opportunity for the tennis club to educate the It is encouraged that your club restrooms are accessible for all. This community and demonstrate their commitment to providing a welcoming and means including signage to indicate the restroom is “All Gendered”. inclusive space for everyone throughout the Traralgon community. 6 Doing this provides a safe environment for everyone.

Respect that people do not transition to gain a competitive 7 advantage in sport. People transition to live a life as their true and “As an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s so important to send out authentic selves. the message that everyone is welcome to play tennis, have lessons or volunteer. It is also the right thing to do.” Be informed of Tennis Australia’s Membership Protection Policy and your state’s anti-discrimination legislation. For more information – Susie Grumley, Traralgon Tennis Club 8 contact [email protected] Partner with Tennis Victoria Share positive stories about your club’s successes and achievements Register with Pride Cup to host the event 9 as an inclusive community. KEY Increase awareness of event throughout the local TAKEAWAYS community by advertising in local papers and promoting through social media and events 10 Why not add some decorative rainbow bunting and flags! Provide LGBTQ+ awareness training to coaches and local community LGBTQ+ CHAMPIONS LGBTQ+ CHAMPIONS

LOTON PARK TENNIS CLUB GLAM SLAM

Award-winning Loton Park Tennis Club, based in Perth, Western Australia, The Glam Slam, an international tennis event sanctioned by the Gay and openly welcomes all participants who identify as LGBTQ+. Its motto is Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA) is held in Melbourne during the Australian “Diversity is our advantage”. Club members have the opportunity to Open. The Glam Slam attracts 200 participants from over 30 countries across participate in league competitions, social plays, Come and Try Days and the globe. Participants and visitors also have the opportunity to take part in many other events. other LGBTQ+ inclusive social events during the Australian Open.

Loton Park Tennis Club have strong relationships with other sports The Glam Slam is the world’s first LGBTQ+ tournament that is integrated into organisations, sharing resources and events. a Grand Slam event.

“Embracing and respecting the diversity of players, visitors and members to your tennis club is advantageous. Everyone “Players participating at the Glam Slam brings a sense of is welcomed and educating members and visitors on what achievement. For others it’s to connect and make new friends. inclusiveness means, more and more members of the community For some it brings stability in their lives. We all crave belonging will want to attend, join and contribute to the fun. But most of all and we want people to feel that they belong at the highest levels they will feel that they belong and feel happy to be their true self of our sport.” whilst enjoying the sport.” – Rowen D’Souza, Glam Slam Coordinator – Tony Boutoubia, former President, Loton Park Tennis Club

Partnered with Tennis West Partnered with Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria Connected with local sports groups Promoted event through networks, including the Gay KEY Promoted events through social media, LGBTQ+ KEY Lesbian Tennis Alliance TAKEAWAYS community and general public TAKEAWAYS  Connected with grassroot LGBTQ+ sports groups and Recruited members who identify as LGBTQ+ to be community to generate word of mouth involved with the committee and volunteer Increased leverage of the Glam Slam through social media, festivals and LGBTQ+ events LGBTQ+ CHAMPIONS GET STARTED WITH AN LGBTQ+ EVENT!

BE A SUPPORTER! Why not reach out to your local LGBTQ+ group and celebrate an event? Below are LGBTQ+ events that happen throughout the year:

Welcoming a new member to your club and ensuring their comfort is important. This was the case when a tennis club in Perth had no hesitation in welcoming Allison, a new player, who informed the club she was an intersex Transgender Day of Visibility Celebrate Bisexuality Day trans female participant. While the club sought formal confirmation from 31 MARCH 23 SEPTEMBER Tennis West that there would be no issue with her participating in their upcoming summer competitions, the club’s interaction with Allison was Lesbian Day of Visibility Bisexual Awareness Week focused solely on discovering what Allison’s tennis interests were from a social 26 APRIL WEEK SURROUNDING and competitive tennis perspective. 23 SEPTEMBER IDAHOBIT (International Day Based on her interest, the club was able to recommend to Allison that she Against Homophobia, Biphobia, participate in their internal Tuesday night social competition where she is now International Lesbian Day Interphobia and Transphobia) playing in addition to Tennis West’s Saturday ladies competition. 8 OCTOBER 17 MAY International Pronouns Day Pan (Pansexual and Panromantic) THIRD WEDNESDAY IN OCTOBER Visibility Day “Tennis is my outlet. My emotions can get too much for me to 24 MAY Intersex Awareness Day handle and that’s why I love tennis so much because it converts 26 OCTOBER my emotion into power, letting me release them in a positive rather Pride Month than a negative manner. Finding an accepting place to let me 1-30 JUNE Asexual Awareness Week play is hard, but I’ve found one.” LAST WEEK IN OCTOBER – Allison International Non-Binary Peoples Day Intersex Solidarity Day 14 JULY The club treated Allison like they would any other new 8 NOVEMBER participant Wear it Purple Day The focus was on finding out player’s interest so that the Transgender Day of Remembrance KEY club could support her to participate in Tennis in a way LAST FRIDAY IN AUGUST TAKEAWAYS that meets her interest 20 NOVEMBER Consulted with Tennis West for clarification to ensure participant can compete without barriers World AIDS Day Participant is now playing on a regular basis in both 1 DECEMBER social and competitive opportunities at the club PARTNER UP!

There are some great organisations out there who are willing to help your club became more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.

Pride in Sport Australia Tennis ACT www.prideinsport.com.au www.tennis.com.au/act

Sport Australia Tennis NSW www.sportaus.gov.au www.tennis.com.au/nsw

Australian Human Rights Tennis NT Commission www.tennis.com.au/nt www.humanrights.gov.au Tennis QLD Proud 2 Play www.tennis.com.au/qld www.proud2play.org.au Tennis SA Pride Cup www.tennis.com.au/sa www.pridecup.org.au Tennis TAS The Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance www.tennis.com.au/tas (GLTA) Tennis VIC www.glta.net www.tennis.com.au/vic

Tennis Australia www.tennis.com.au GLOSSARY OF DEFINITIONS

Tennis Australia acknowledges that language and terminology can have an ii. Medical transition is the process by which a person changes their impact (positively and/or negatively) on people who play our sport. According physical sex characteristics to align with their gender identity. This to Pride in Sport Australia, there are four key aspects we must consider when may include hormone therapy, surgery or both. understanding how people identify, these include: iii. Legal transition is the process by which a person changes their • Sex (biology) identity documents, name, or both, to reflect their gender identity. • Gender identity (brain) This may include changing their gender marker on a passport or birth certificate or changing their name on a driver’s license or bank card. • Gender expression (culture) • Sexuality (orientation) • CISGENDER: A term used to describe people who identify their gender as the same as what was assigned to them at birth (male or female). ‘Cis’ is Society has historically viewed these characteristics as being neatly a Latin term meaning ‘on the same side as’. segregated into male and female characteristics, also known as ‘hetero- • GENDER EXPERIENCES: Trans, transgender, gender diverse, cis and normative’. It is important to note that these characteristics exist on a cisgender are all experiences of gender and are distinct from male, spectrum and are not binary. female and non-binary gender identities. • TRANS AND GENDER DIVERSE: These are umbrella terms that describe • AFAB/DFAB: Assigned female at birth/Designated female at birth people who identify their gender as different to what was assigned to them at birth. Some trans people position ‘being trans’ as a history or • AMAB/DMAB: Assigned male at birth/Designated male at birth experience, rather than an identity, and consider their gender identity • GENDER DYSPHORIA: The distress or unease sometimes experienced from as simply being female, male or a non-binary identity. Some connect being misgendered and/or when someone’s gender identity and body strongly with their trans experience. The processes of transition may or personally don’t feel connected or congruent. Gender dysphoria does not may not be part of a trans or gender diverse person’s life. Terms such as = being trans or gender diverse, many trans and gender diverse people do ‘cross dresser’ and ‘transvestite’ aren’t typically used by trans and gender not experience gender dysphoria and if they do, it may cease with access diverse people to describe their gender experience. to gender affirming healthcare (if medical transition is desired). The trans • NON-BINARY: This is an umbrella term for any number of gender and gender diverse experience is not a mental illness. identities that sit within, outside of, across or between the spectrum of • LEGAL SEX: The marker or classification recorded when a child’s birth is the male and female binary. A non-binary person might identify as gender registered. In NSW, this is either M or F. This marker can be amended to fluid, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender, bigender etc. either M, F or X. • TRANSITION/GENDER AFFIRMING: The personal process or processes • SEX CHARACTERISTICS: Physical parts of the body that are related a trans or gender diverse person determines is right for them in order to to body development/regulation and reproductive systems. Primary live as their defined gender identity and so that society recognises this. sex characteristics are gonads, chromosomes, genitals and hormones. Transition may involve social, medical/surgical and/or legal steps that Secondary sex characteristics emerge at puberty and can include the affirm a person’s gender. development of breast tissue, voice pitch, facial and pubic hair etc. ‘Sex i. Social transition is the process by which a person changes their characteristics’ is more accurate than ‘biological sex’, ‘biologically male’ gender expression to better match their gender identity. This may or ‘biologically female’. Body parts do not have genders. include changing their name, pronouns, and appearance. GLOSSARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF DEFINITIONS

• CISGENDERISM/CISSEXISM: A view that the trans experience doesn’t The development of the LGBTQ+ Engagement Guide would not have been exist or is something to be treated. That gender identity is determined possible without the contribution from Pride in Sport, Proud 2 Play and at birth and is fixed based on sex characteristics (or ‘biology’) and that Monash University. only binary (male and female) identities are valid and real. • INTERSEX STATUS: ‘Intersex status’ is a protected attribute under the Act. Under the Act ‘intersex status’ means the status of having physical, hormonal or genetic features that are: i. neither wholly female nor wholly male ii. a combination of female and male, or iii. neither female nor male.

The term ‘intersex’ does not describe a person’s gender identity (man, woman, neither or both). A person born with a variation in sex characteristics may identify as a man, woman, neither or both. • LGBTQI: ‘LGBTQI’ (or variations of it) is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex. It is used to refer collectively to these communities. The ‘LGB’ refers to sexuality/sexual identity; the ‘T’ refers to gender identity; and the ‘I’ refers to people who have an intersex variation. ‘Q’ can refer to either gender identity or sexuality. • PRONOUNS: ‘Pronouns’ are a grammatical means of referring to a person or persons. Conventional pronouns are ‘she/her/hers’ and ‘he/him/ his’. Some people prefer to use gender neutral pronouns, such as ‘they/ them/their’. The pronoun a person uses to describe themselves generally reflects their gender identity.

“WHICH PRONOUNS DO YOU USE?”

IDENTITY PRONOUN EXAMPLE

Identifying as male He/Him/His He won the set

Identifying as female She/Her/Hers I play with her in doubles

Identifying as neither They/Them/Theirs That is their tennis racquet

Reprinted with permission from Pride In Sport www.prideinsport.com.au